Advertising display



March 28, 1939. w. OTTO ADVERTISING DISPLAY Filed June 8,

1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR wali er' Oifo BY M1 W9 WITNESSESATTORNEYS March 28, 1939. w QQTTQ 2,152,495

ADVERTISING DISPLAY Filed June 8, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWI W1];

wrmEssEs 1 INVENTOR March 28, 1939. T 2,152,495

ADVERTIS ING DISPLAY I Filed Jurie s, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 wrmsssasINVENTOR K W WmNEYJS March 28, 1939.

' ADVERTISING DISPLAY w. OTTO 2,152,495

Filed June 8, 1938 4 sheets-sheet 4 WITNESSES INVENTOR waiter OttoATTORN EYS Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display devices andparticularly to devices used for sequentially exhibiting advertising ordisplay placards and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved display deviceof compact construction in which a plurality of display frames orplacards are arranged in sequence and which is provided with improvedoperating mechanism whereby one side of each of the display placards canbe separately exhibited in sequence and then the other side of each ofthe placards can be separately exhibited in sequence without beingturned or manipulated by the operator.

A further object is the provision of an improved display device of theabove character in which the speed of operation may be varied at willand which may be controlled by the person viewing the display oradvertising matter in such a manner that each individual placard may bedisplayed as long as desired.

In carrying out my invention I provide an endless flexible supportingmember such as a belt or chain and a plurality of separate placards orframes, which are secured to the endless flexible member by means ofsliding connections. The flexible member may be rotated or fed tosequentially display the separate placards or frames. At one point inthe path of movement of the belt the frames or placards shift on theirslidable connections and in this way both sides of the frame or placardare exhibited at the point of display. In operation first one side ofeach of the placards or frames are displayed and then the other side ofeach of the placards or frames are displayed in sequence.

For a fuller understanding of the invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectionalView of a device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view in section in the direction of the arrows on theline 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the flexiblesupporting member showing the manner in which the frames or placards areshifted;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of one of the frames or placards showing themanner in which it is supported on the device;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the frame or placard shown in Fig. 4;

-Fig. 6 is a view of one of the guide channels which support the framesor placards upon the flexible member;

Fig. '7 is a view of a modified type of frame or placard;

Fig. 8 is a view of the supporting sleeve for the type of frame orplacard shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is another modified form of frame or placard;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line ll0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the circuit for the motor and switchescontrolling the operation of my device;

Fig. 12 is a detailed view showing a portion of the automatic switch forautomatically-stopping the operation of the device when a new placard orframe has been shifted to display position;

Fig. 13 is a view of an auxiliary mechanism which may be used foroperating my device in a reverse direction;

Fig. 14 shows a modified type of automatic switch arrangement to be usedwhen my device is operated in a reverse direction; and

Fig. 15 is a diagram of the circuit controlling the motor for theauxiliary feed mechanism shown in Fig. 13.

My device preferably comprises a suitable supporting frame which may beformed of vertical members I and connecting horizontal members 2.Disposed around the device I preferably provide a suitable casing 3 ofattractive appearance which is provided with an opening 4 of the propersize and at the proper position as shown, through which placards orframes are exhibited.

Suitably supported on the frame so that it may be fed or rotated is anendless flexible member on which the individual placards or frames aremounted by means of a shiftable connection. The endless flexible membermay be made of an endless belt or from chains or the like. However, Iprefer to form the member of a pair of sprocket chains suitablysupported adjacent the opposite sides of the frame as shown most clearlyin Fig. 2, each of the chains preferably being disposed around threeidling sprocket wheels 6, 1 and 8 and around a driven sprocket wheel 9.The sprocket wheels 6, l, 8 and 9 are mounted on shafts 10, ll, 12 and13 which in turn are suitably journaled to the frame of the device asshown.

Mounted upon the shaft l3 which supports the drive sprocket wheels 9 isanother sprocket wheel l4 connected by a sprocket chain l5 to sprocketwheel 16 on gear box II. The gear box II in turn is connected by driveshaft l8 to an electric motor l9. Thus it will be appreciated that uponthe operation of electric motor l9, through the interconnecting shaft 8,gear box l, sprocket chain I5, shaft I3 and sprocket wheels 9, the pairof sprocket chains 5 are caused to feed or rotate. The normal directionof operation is in the direction of the arrows as shown in Fig. 1.

Mounted on the pair of chains 5 are a plurality of separate frames orplacards 20, the frames or placards preferably being arranged in spacedrelationship as shown, and having pivotal shiftable connection with thechain, so that upon the rotation of the chains one side of each of theplacards or frames are first displayed in sequence through V the opening4 in the casing and thereafter the opposite side of each of the framesor placards are displayed sequentially through the opening 4.

The preferred form of connection between the chains and the placards orforms is shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, from which it will be noted thatalternate links of the sprocket chains are provided with pairs ofoutwardly projecting lugs 2| and pivotally connected to each pair oflugs is a pin 22 provided on its inner end with a channelshap'edguide orhead 23 which engages the side edge of frame 20. The outer end of eachpin 22 is provided with a cotter pin or the like to retain it inposition, while between the channel-shaped end 23 and the ears 2| a coilspring 24 is preferably provided so as to hold the channel-shaped headin contact with the side of the frame or placard 20. The two sprocketchains 5 are arranged so that the projecting ears 2| of one chain willbe disposed opposite the projecting ears 2| of the other chain. In thisway a pair of channelshaped heads 23 extending. from the two sprocketchains engage each of the frames or placards 20 on opposite sidesthereof. It will be seen that each of the frames 20 can have pivotalmovement with respect to the chains 5 due to the fact that the pins 22'are pivotally mounted on the chains and also that the frame or placardmay shift lengthwise in the channel-shaped heads 23. To limit thelongitudinal movement of the frames or placards with respect to thechannel-shaped heads I provide stop pins 25 at the lower and upper ends:of the frames at opposite sides thereof as shown most clearly in Fig. 4.

The construction just described causes the automatic reversal of each ofthe placardso-r frames after they have completed one revolution in thepath of movement of the chains 5. Thus, referring to Fig. 1 it will beseen that the frames 2|] disposed beneath the opening 4 in casing 3 iscaused to depend downwardly due to gravity, as the chains 5 are rotatedor fed in the direction of the arrows. Due to the angle at which theupper portion of the chains is disposed the frame 20 is disposed. at aconvenient visual angle when it is exposed beneath the opening 4. Wheneach of the frames or placards20' reach the lowermost point of theirpath of movement, which is be neath the sprocket wheels 8, they aredisposed in substantially a vertical plane. As the frames or placardsapproach the uppermost point in their path of movement they graduallyassume a horizontal position, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Aseach frame or placard passes over the top of sprocket wheels 6 andstarts its downward movement, the forward edge is disposed beneath therear edge. a At that point the frame or placard slides or shiftsdownwardly relative to the channel-shaped heads 23 which support it,causing the opposite sides of the frame or placard to be exposed beneaththe opening 4. It will be seen that the shifting action of the placardis due to the combined action of gravity and the lifting force exertedby the succeeding placard. While the placards pass through the lowerportion of their path of movement they hang freely and may pivot withrespect to the chains 5. During the upper portion of their path ofmovement each placard rests upon the succeeding placard and at the verytop of its path of movement the succeeding placard exerts a definitelifting force upon the adjacent placard. In shifting longitudinally theplacard is guided both by the preceding and by the succeeding placard.

The frames 20 are preferably formed to support advertising or displaycards on both faces thereof. Thus the marginal edges of the frame may beraised relative to the central portion thereof on both faces as shown at26 and the marginal raised edges 25 may be provided with groovesparallel to the face of the frame to receive the lateral edges ofdisplay or advertising cards 21 as shown most clearly in Fig. 5.

To: aid or guide the longitudinal shifting of the frames as they passover the top of the sprocket wheels 6 I preferably provide connectingrods 28 between the two chains 5, at alternate connecting points betweenthe links as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that when thechains 5 have completed one revolution one face of each of the frames orplacards 20' have been exposed beneath the opening 4; If the chains 5are then rotated through a second revolution the opposite face of eachof the frames or placards will then be exposed beneath the opening 4,due to the longitudinal shifting of each of the frames as it passes overthe top of the sprocket wheels 6 and starts on its downward path ofmovement.

The frames or placards 20 and the mountings therefor may be varied.Thus, in Figs. '7 to 10 two modified types of frames and mountings areshown. Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the frame orplacard is indicated at 29 and is mounted upon a pair of horizontal rods3|! having vertical rods 3| connected therebetween. in spaced relationwith respect to the lateral edges of the frame or placard 29. Pivotallyconnected in the lugs 2| of the sprocket chains 5 are the pins 32 whichare provided with sleeves 33 at the ends thereof, for receiving thevertical rods 3|. Coil springs 84 are disposed between the lugs 2| andthe sleeves 33 so as to properly center the frames or placards 29. Thusit will be seen that in the modified construction shown'in Figs. 7 and 8the frames or placards 29 may pivot with regard to the chains and shiftlongitudinally in a similar manner to the frames or placards 20. Inpivoting it will be appreciated that the pins 32 pivot with respect tothe lugs 2|. In shifting longitudinally it will be appreciated that thevertical rods 3| slide in the sleeves 33. The frames 29 are arranged onthe chains 5 in a similar manner to the frames 20. Thus each alternatelink preferably supports a frame and the frames are normally inoverlapping relationship. However, adjacent the top of the device eachframe is caused to shift longitudinally as it begins on its downwardpath of movement.

Referring now to the modified form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the frame orplacard is indicated by means of connecting rods 3! extending betweenthe pairs of lugs 2| on the two chains 5. One connecting rod 31 passesthrough each of the frames 34 thereby permitting a pivotal movement ofthe frame and also longitudinal shifting thereof. To center the framesbetween the chains 5 coil springs and washers 38 and 39 are providedbetween the chains and the frames. The frames 34 are preferably mountedon alternate links as in the first form of my invention, so as to benormally disposed in overlapping relationship, and when they start ontheir downward path of movement they shift longitudinally. Each of theframes 29 and 34 is preferably provided with a marginal raised flange asshown, to receive the lateral edges of advertising or display cards.

My display device may be operated in many different manners. Thus themotor I9 may intermittently feed the chains 5 so as to cause each frameor placard 20 to stop temporarily beneath the opening 4, or the chainsmay be provided with a slow, continuous drive so that each frame orplacard will appear beneath the opening 4 for a sufficient length oftime to be viewed by the operator. However, I prefer to provide mydevice with control mechanism whereby the operator or person viewing thedisplays can vary the speed of operation and can determine the length oftime that each placard or frame is disposed beneath the opening 4. Forthis purpose I provide the device with a manually operated switch 49which is conveniently located at the front of the casing 3 as shown mostclearly in Fig. 2. The operation of the device is initiated by pressingthe manual switch 40 and thereafter the operation continuesautomatically until the next frame or placard is exposed beneath theopening 4, when the circuit is automatically broken and furtheroperation automatically stop-s. To expose the next frame it is necessaryfor the operator to again press the switch 40. The circuit whereby Iaccomplish this result is shown in the diagram Fig. 11, in which themotor I9 is connected by a lead 4|, to one side of a source of currentsupply and by a lead 42 to switch 40 which in turn is connected by lead43 to the other side of the source of current supply. It will thus beseen that by closing switch 40 the circuit of the motor is closed, andthe motor will accordingly operate, causing the feeding of the chains 5in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1.

Switch 40 is of the push button type and when pressure is removedtherefrom the circuit will again open. I accordingly provide means toautomatically continue the operation of the motor until the next frameor placard is exposed beneath the opening 4. This mechanism includes aconventional type of mercury switch 44 connected in parallel with theswitch 49 by means of lead 45 connected to lead 42, and lead 46connected to lead 43. It will thus be appreciated that when the mercuryswitch is closed the operation of the motor l9 will continue even thoughmanual switch 40 is open. Mercury switch 44 is mounted on a pivotallysupported crank 41 which is provided with a spring 48 arranged tonormally hold the mercury switch in a position to close the circuit. Asviewed in Fig. 11 the mercury switch 44 is open. When it is tilted tothe right as viewed in the same figure the switch is closed and thespring 48 is arranged so as to exert tension to normally close theswitch.

To synchronize the operation of mercury switch 44 with the operation ofmy device so that the circuit is broken when the next succeeding frameor placard is disposed beneath opening 4 I provide a pivotally mountedcrank 49 which is arranged so as to be engaged by pins 50 connected toalternate links of sprocket chain l5 and thereby cause mercury switch 44to open the circuit of the motor l9. To accomplish this, crank 49 isprovided with a bifurcated end 5|, between the forked ends of which is apin 52 on the crank 41, while adjacent the side of the crank 49 Iprovide a stop 53. When crank 49 is shifted to the left so as to engagestop 53 it shifts or tilts mercury switch 44 against the tension ofspring 48, causing the switch to open. When crank 49 is released thespring 48 causes mercury switch 44 to close.

The lower end of crank 49 is provided with a pivotally mounted lever 54which is engaged by the pins 56 so as to provide a releasable abutmentwhereby crank 49 may be shifted against stop 53 to open the circuit, butthe further operation or rotation of chain l5 will not be prevented whenmanual switch 40 is closed. Crank 49 is provided with a stop 55 engagingthe upper surface of lever 54, and the opposite end of lever 54 isconnected by spring 56 to a downwardly depending lug 51 formed on crank49. The tension of spring 56 is greater than the tension of spring 48,so that when downward pressure is exerted upon lever 54 by one of thepins 50, crank 49 will be caused to pivot and will overcome the tensionof spring 48.

The pins 59 are synchronized with regard to the frames or placards 20 sothat one of the pins 59 engages lever 54 and through the medium of crank49 and mercury switch 44 opens the circuit of motor l9 when the nextframe is positioned beneath opening 4. In Fig. 12 the relative positionof crank 49 and lever 54 with regard to sprocket chain I 5 and sprocketwheel I6 is shown. Thus the lever 54 is positioned on the lefthand sideof sprocket wheel l6, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 12, so as to be engagedby the downwardly moving pins 50 which are secured to the sprocket chainl5.

In operating my device the operator stands in front of the casing sothat he may view the placards or frames through the opening 4. When hedesires to see the next frame or placard he merely presses switch 40thereby closing the circuit of motor I9 and causing the feeding ofchains 5 in the direction of the arrows. When the circuit has thus beenmanually closed the sprocket chain [5 is rotated causing the pin 50which engages lever 54, to press the lever downwardly against thetension of spring 56 and it will be appreciated that the pin 50 soonpasses out of engagement with lever 54, releasing the lever and crank 49and permitting spring 48 to close the circuit through mercury switch 44.The operator may then release manual switch 40 and motor l9 willcontinue to operate due to the fact that the circuit through the mercuryswitch is closed. As the motor continues operating the next frame orplacard passes over the top of sprocket wheels 6 and starts its downwardpath of movement with the result that the forward edge of the frame isdisposed in a lower plane than the rear edge, causing the frame to shiftlongitudinally.

After the frame has completed its longitudinal shifting it will bedisposed beneath the opening 4. At that time the next pin 59 engageslever 54, shifting crank 49 against stop 53 and opening the circuitthrough mercury switch 44, with the result that the motor stopsoperating. The

operator can view the" frame or placard as long as he desires and thencan repeat the operation just as described, to expose the next frame orplacard. It will be appreciated that if this operation is repeated forone complete revolution of the sprocket chain, one side of each of theframes or placards will be exposed sequentially beneath the opening 4.If the operation is again repeated for another complete revolution ofthe chains 5 the other side of each of the frames or placards will thusbe sequentially exposed.

At times it may be desirable to operate my device in a reversedirection. This may be accomplished by arranging the motor to rotate inan opposite direction and by positioning the crank 39 and its associatedmechanism on the opposite side of sprocket wheel 16 so that lever 54 isengaged by pins 53 in their downward path of movement as shown mostclearly in Fig. 14. Also, the auxiliary feed mechanism must be providedat the top of the device adjacent the sprocket wheels 5 whereby theframes will be shifted longitudinally when they reach the top of theirpath of movement. The mechanism whereby this may be accomplished isshown in Figs. 13 to 35. When this arrangement is employed I preferablyeliminate the cross rods 28. In Figs. 13 to 15 I have illustrated frames34 of the type shown in Figs. 9 and 10 but it should be understood thatother types of frames may be employed.

The auxiliary feeding mechanism used to shift the frames 34longitudinally when the device is operated in an opposite directionpreferably con sists of a pair of idling rollers 59 (only one of whichis shown), engaging the under surface of the frames 34 adjacent oppositesides thereof. The idling rollers 55 are preferably supported onbrackets 55 mounted on the top of the frames. Disposed above the idlingroller 59 are a pair of spring mounted feed rollers El which are adaptedto engage the upper surface of the placards or frames and feed themfaster than the sprocket chains 5, so that they shift longitudinally. Asshown most clearly in Fig. 15 the feed rollers ti are mounted on a shaft62 which in turn is mounted in shiftable brackets 63 which are normallyheld in extended position by means of compression springs 65 extendingbetween the lower portion of the brackets and fixed supports 55.Connected to each bracket 63 is a shiftable contact G6 which is adaptedto engage fixed contact 5'5 which is. connected by means of aninsulating mounting 68 to fixed support 55.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13 when no frame or placard 3 isdisposed between the rollers 59 and iii, contact 65 is out of engagementwith contact 5'! due to the fact that spring 84 exerts pressure to holdthe bracket 63 in extended position. Upon the operation of the device soas to cause one end of a frame 34 to en.- gage roller St, the roller 5!and bracket 53 will be shifted upwardly to the position shown in fulllines in Fig, 13, causing contact 68 to engage contact fi'i. Thisresults in the closing of the circuit of motor 59, which is connectedthrough pulley l9, belt H and pulley 2 to shaft 52. The operation of themotor causes the rotation of belt H, shaft 62, and feed roller 6| in thedirection of the arrow as viewed in Fig. 13. Feed roll 6! is rotated atsuch a speed as to cause the feeding of frame 35 at a greater speed thanthe normal operation of the sprocket chains 5, with the result that theframe is shifted longitudinally with respect to the chains 5 in thedirection of the arrows' The circuit of motor 69 is shown in Fig. 15.Thus, it is connected by lead 13 with one side of the source of currentsupply and by the lead 14 to the two fixed contacts 61. The movablecontacts 56 are connected by leads l5 and 16 to the other side of thesource of current supply.

Where my display device is to be operated in an opposite direction tonormal, as just described, the primary feeding mechanism for thesprocket chains 5 is the same as in the first form of my invention, withthe exception that the motor I9 is operated in an opposite direction andthe crank 49 and associated mechanism is disposed on the opposite sideof sprocket wheel I6 as described above and as shown in Fig. 14. Tocause the operation of the device and the display of the next picturethe operator presses switch 40 to cause the device to feed in thedirection opposite to the arrows in Fig. 1. When the frame 35 that wasdisplayed beneath opening 4 engages with the roller 6! the feed rolleris shifted upwardly, closing the circuit of motor 69. The motor causesthe operation of feed rollers 6| with the result that frame 34 isshifted longitudinally in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13, andwhen the feed roller 6! is released from engagement with the rollers,the roller shifts downwardly, opening the circuit of motor 69.Simultaneously, one of the pins 50 engages lever 54, shifting crank 39and opening the circuit of motor i5 through mercury switch 44. The nextsucceeding frame or placard is thus displayed beneath the opening 4.

In using my device it will be appreciated that many different types ofadvertising or display cards may be inserted in the frames or placards20, 29 and 34. It should be borne in mind that the cards on oppositesides of the same frame should be in inverse relationship so that theyare properly displayed when exposed beneath the opening 4.

My device is particularly suited for showing real estate; used car andsimilar advertising. Where my device is employed in real estateadvertising all of the houses or property for rent and for sale in agiven community can be advertised in one machine. The cards may beconveniently arranged so as'to give all the pertinent details and maypreferably contain a picture of the property. The operator can thus viewthe displays relative to each of the properties for rent or for sale andcan select those which he desires to personally inspect. In this way aconsiderable saving of time both on the part of the real estate agentand the customer can be effec ed, and the customer can view a wideselection of properties with a minimum of effort. It will be apparent ofcourse, that my device may be employed for other advertising and displaypurposes.

From the foregoing description of the several embodiments of myinvention it will be appreciated that I have provided an improveddisplay device particularly suited for exhibiting advertising anddisplay placards and the like, which is of compact construction, andwhich may be controlled by the operator to display each placard for anydesired length of time.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made in the illustratedand described embodiment of my invention without departing from theinvention as set'forth in the accompanying claims.

1. A display device comprising an endless flexible member mounted sothat it will travel through a predetermined path, an electric motor, adriving connection between the motor and flexible member whereby theflexible member is caused to travel through the said predetermined path,a control circuit for said electric motor having a manually operatedswitch which is normally open whereby the circuit may be temporarilyclosed and having another switch which is normally closed and which isprovided with means for opening the switch when the flexible member hastravelled a predetermined distance, a placard having a plurality ofdisplay faces, and means for supporting the placard on the flexiblemember so that it can shift longitudinally and pivot with respect to theflexible member whereby upon the rotation of the flexible member throughthe predetermined path the several display faces of the placard aresuccessively exhibited.

2. A display device comprising a pair of spaced flexible members, meanssupporting the members in parallel relationship so that they may travelthrough spaced predetermined paths, driving means for feeding theflexible members through the predetermined paths, a placard having aplurality of display faces and having a pair of parallel lateral edges,and means for supporting the placard between the flexible members sothat it can shift longitudinally and pivot with respect to the flexiblemembers, comprising a pair of rods rotatably mounted on the flexiblemembers and provided with channel-shaped heads engaging the lateraledges of the placard.

3. A display device comprising a pair of spaced flexible members, meanssupporting the members in parallel relationship so that they may travelthrough spaced predetermined paths, driving means for feeding themembers through the predetermined paths, a placard having a plurality ofdisplay faces and provided with a pair of shafts parallel to and spacedfrom the lateral edges thereof, and means for supporting the placardbetween the flexible members so that it can shift longitudinally andpivot with respect to the flexible members, comprising a pair of rodspivotally mounted on the flexible members and having sleeves connectedto the ends thereof engaging the said shafts, whereby upon the feedingof the flexible members through the predetermined paths the severaldisplay faces of the placards are successively exhibited.

4. A display device comprising a supporting member mounted so as totravel through a predetermined path, means for feeding the supportingmember through the predetermined path, a placard having a plurality ofdisplay faces, means for supporting the placard on the supporting memberso that it can shift longitudinally and pivot with respect to thesupporting member, and auxiliary feed means including a roller disposedin the path of movement of the placard and adapted to engage the face ofthe placard and shift it longitudinally whereby upon the feeding of thesupporting member through the predetermined path the several displayfaces of the placard are successively exhibited.

5. A display device comprising an endless flexible member, meanssupporting said flexible member so that it may travel through apredetermined path, driving means operatively connect- .ed to saidflexible member to feed it through the predetermined path, a placardhaving a plurality of display faces, means for supporting the placard onthe flexible member so that it can shift longitudinally and pivot withrespect to the flexible member, and means including a roller, and amotor operatively connected thereto for rotating said roller, disposedin the path of movement of the placard and adapted to engage the face ofthe same and feed it longitudinally, whereby upon the feeding of theflexible member through its predetermined path the several display facesof the placard are successively exhibited.

6. A display device as specified in claim 5 in which the roller isprovided with a shiftable spring-pressed mounting whereby the roller isshifted when it engages the placard and returns to normal position whenit is released from engagement with the placard, and the motor isprovided with a control circuit having a switch which is closed when theroller is in shifted position and is open when the roller is in normalposition.

7. In a display device, a supporting member adapted to travel through apredetermined path, a plurality of display devices mounted on thesupporting member and adapted to be successively exhibited upon therotation of the supporting member, means including an electric motor anda driving connection between the motor and the supporting member forfeeding the supporting member through its predetermined path, and meansfor controlling the operation of said motor, comprising an operatingcircuit for the motor, a normally open manually operated switch in saidcircuit adapted to be temporarily closed, and a second normally closedswitch in the circuit and provided with means for automatically openingthe second switch when the supporting member is shifted a predetermineddistance.

8. A display device comprising a pair of spaced endless flexiblemembers, means supporting said members so that they may be rotatedthrough parallel paths, the axes of which are in substantially verticalplanes, a plurality of relatively flat placards each having a pair ofdisplay faces, and means supporting said placards between said flexiblemembers in longitudinally spaced but overlapping relationship, theconnection between each placard and the members permitting the placardto shift longitudinally and to pivot around its axes of support, and thespacing between the placards being substantially less than the length ofthe placards whereby each placard pivots with respect to said flexiblemembers during the lower portion of its path of movement and rests uponthe succeeding placard during the upper portion of its path of move mentso that the combined action of gravity and the lifting force exerted bythe succeeding placard causes each placard to shift longitudinally as itstarts its downward path of movement.

9. A display device comprising a pair of spaced endless sprocket chains,means supporting said chains so that they may be rotated throughparallel paths, the axes of which are in substantially vertical planes,said means including sprocket wheels positioned at the upper end of thepath of movement of the chains, a plurality of relatively flat placardseach having a pair of display faces, and means supporting said placardsbetween said sprocket chains in longitudinally spaced but overlappingrelationship, the connection between each placard and the chainspermitting the placard to shift longitudinally and to pivot around itsaxes of support, and the spacing between the placards beingsubstantially less than the length of the placards whereby each placardpivots with respect to said sprocket chains during the lower portion ofits path of l movement and rests upon the succeeding placand during theupper portion of its path of movement so that the combined action ofgravity and the lifting force exerted by the succeeding placard causeseach placard to shift longitudinally as it starts its downward path ofmovement, the preceding and succeeding placard serving as guides whenthe placard shifts longitudinally.

10. A display device as specified in claim 9 in which the sprocketchains are provided with a plurality of spaced outwardly projecting lugsto which the supporting means for the placards are connected.

WALTER OTTO.

